(OPEN):ACCORDING TO A SURVEY FROM A-A-R-P, VETERANS ARE FREQUENTLY TARGETED BY
SCAM-ARTISTS--AND ARE VICTIMIZED TWICE AS OFTEN AS THE REST OF THE PUBLIC.
THAT'S WHY A-A-R-P'S "FRAUD-WATCH NETWORK" AND THE "UNITED STATES POSTAL-INSPECTION
SERVICE" HAVE LAUNCHED "OPERATION PROTECT
VETERANS". A-A-R-P ALABAMA'S BILL HAWKINS EXPLAINS...

(HAWKINS):"UNFORTUNATELY, THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY HAVE BECOME A PRIME TARGET OF TELEPHONE- AND ONLINE-THIEVES.
OUR GOAL IS TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO WATCH FOR SUSPICIOUS SOLICITATIONS THAT TARGET VETERANS; THEY CAN SIMPLY LOOK FOR SUSPICIOUS E-MAILS, PHONE-CALLS, OR LETTERS.
VETERANS ARE BOMBARDED BY THE SAME SCAMS AND PITCHES THAT WE ALL RECEIVE; HOWEVER, OUR RESEARCH FINDS THAT
THEY'RE ALSO UNDER ATTACK BY ADDITIONAL SCAMS THAT ARE TAILORED JUST FOR THEM."